9 September 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 9 September 2014 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 22: 1 – 22

This portion of the psalm is a solemn prayer for deliverance from a dreadful illness. It is an illness that has detractors circling the psalmist. The psalmist feels alone and separated from God but is reminded of all the times God was there in the past for the Israelites. The psalmist is humble, asks to be saved not just from the illness but also from any temptation.

Obadiah 1 – 14

Obadiah names Edom for treachery when Jerusalem fell. He names what they did as if they did it to a brother. Obadiah prophesies a heavenly force unleashed to destroy Edom.

Acts 27: 1 – 12

Paul goes on a boat towards Rome. The group is headed by a Centurion and includes other prisoners. The winds are not favourable and they change ships in Lycia. They then are caught in an unfavourable harbour and even though Paul prophesies that harm would come to the people, the supplies on the boat and the boat itself, they still set sail.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Light on the Southern Ocean
Morning crossing the Nullabor Plain SA
2014 L Osburn

Holy and Almighty God you are there for us and are the one who responds when we are assailed by illness, treachery and heavy weather slowing our progress or frustrating our path. Be with us this day and help us to keep our faith and hope and trust in you. Help us to be patient, to leave judgement to you and use these times to show that we are your people, praising and honouring you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 9 September 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 22: 23 – 32 and 23

The second section of the psalm, calls for all people who respect and honour God to praise him, glorify him and stand in awe of him! God has delivered the psalmist from deadly illness and this evidence shows that all God’s promises are secure. The Lord rules in all places and future generations will continue God’s praise.

This is the well-known 23^rd Psalm. The Lord is compared to a shepherd who makes sure the sheep are well pastured, have clean water, are at peace and have nothing to fear. God makes us holy (anoints us) and gives us good things our whole life long.

Judith 12: 16 – 13: 16

Judith goes to Holofernes’ tent. There is a feast and she eats and drinks her own food. Holofernes drinks abundantly since he is enjoying her company. The guards and servants withdraw. Judith reminds them that she will later go out to pray, as is her habit. She kills Holofernes with his own sword while he sleeps, takes his head and the canopy of the bed with her. The maid places it in the food bag. They walk safely out of the Assyrian camp and back to the town. They call to the gate that God has destroyed the enemy by her hand. She shows the evidence and makes it clear that Holofoernes has done nothing to defile her.

1 John 4: 13 – 21

When we testify that God sent His Son Jesus to be our saviour, God is with us. We know and we believe in the love God has for us. God is love. When we abide in God we abide in love. We need not fear the final judgement. But be warned that those who say they love God and do not love their brothers and sisters are liars. For if we cannot love those who we see, how can we love someone we have not seen?

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Rectory St Andrew's by the Lake
Mulwala NSW 2014 L Osburn

Holy Lord, praise be to you who restores us. Your presence turns even the darkest places into light. You gave us your Son so that we may be redeemed and understand love. Be with us now as we pray for all those who we have encountered today and ask your loving blessing on them all. Enable us through our prayers to be conduits of your all-conquering love so that the whole world may see you, know you, love you and praise your name eternally through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Amen.